Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-12-05
The uouse Officers.

The House Officers.
The caucus of the democratic representa-.
lives in Congress was held at the Capitol on
Saturday night and agreed upon the follow.
ing ticket for the Offices Of the House in the
Fiftieth Congress which opened to-day:
For Speaker-John G. Carlisle, of Ken
lucky.
For Clerk-John B. Clark, jr., of Missouri.
For Sergeant-at- Arms-J. 2. Leedom, of
Ohio.
For Doorkeeper-A B. Hurt, of NIissis-
sippi.
For Postmaster -Lycurgus Dalton, of In
diana.
For Chaplain W. H. Milburn, of
Illinois.
This was re nomination of all the old
officers with tho exception of the doork eep
er, Capt. Donelsop, of Tennessee, who failed
to gain the re nomination.. The doorkeeper-
ship wAs the only office for which there YVES
real contest. Representative Barnes
Compton, of Maryland, put forward the
name of Rev. Dr. Bullock. of Washington,
for the Office Of Chaplain, but only few
votes were cast for him, aud the re-nomi-
nation of the blnd;orator, Rev Dr. Miburn,
Of Illinois, WAS made unanimous.
| Hon : 5 Cox, Of New York, was elected
| chairman of the caucus,a and upon taking the
chair delivered short speech in which he
congratulated The democrats upon the &c
cent achievements Of their party.
None of the Independents went into ths
democratic caucus.
W. G. 2. Breckenridge, OF Kentucky,
nominated Air. Carlisle for Speaker, sud
Mr. Sowden, CT Pennsylvania, moved 10
make the nomination by accamaiion, which
was doue with great applause. Mr. Coz ap.
poin,eG Messrs. Breckenridge, Of Kentucky;
Randall, of Pennsylvania, aud Holman, OF
Indiana, to notify Mr.. Carlisle of his noin.
nation. Mr. Carlisle wss brought into the
hall aud acknowledged the honor shown
sim IN n brief and feeling speech.
Nominations for Clerk and Sergenn!-at
| drnas were then made, and the contest over
the doort eepersnip baeau. The candidates
named were Messrs. Doneson OF Tennessee,
Raines of New York, A. 3. Hurt of Mlissis
sippi, y X. Reeder of Pennsylvania, and
House of Michigan.
As soon as the nominations were closed
Mr.. Breckenridge, of Arkansas. began Wig
orous attack on Mr. Donelson, substantially
repeating aud celebrating what was con-
tanned in his published charges against the
doorkeeper.
Mr. Taulhee, of Kentucky, defended the
doorkeeper, as did Mr. B,ount, Of Georgia
| The latter was repeatedly Interrupted in his
remarks by Mr.. Breckenridge, and finally
both of the gentlemen lost their temper.
In the course OF running colloquy be-
tween the two Mr.. Blount remarked that
Mr.. Breckenridge was of course working for
Ibis man."
Mr.. Breckenridge Indignantly denied that
he had ga man." and declared that he was
actuated in his action merely by desire for
the good of the democratic party.
Mr. Biount reiterated this statement, and
Mr.. Breckenridge turned towards him and
said with warmth. Tine gentleman imputes
TO me dishonorabe motives"
In the excitement and confusion Mr.
Blount misunderstood the remarks, and, be-
lieving that dishonorable motives had beer
who returned the blow, striking Blount on
the cheek. Before other blows could be
passed the gentlemen were separated,
and Mr.. Breckenridge retired to the cloak
room.
The circumstances were then explained to
Mr.. Bount, who instantly, upon learning Of
the misrepresentation under which he had
labored, requested that Mr.. Breckenridge
return to the floor in order that he might
tender to him an apology for his action.
Upon Mr.. Breckinridge's appearance Mr.
Blount apologized and the gentlemen shook
hands with great cordielity.
After the excitement had subsidized the
discussion of the merits of the candidates
was concluded.
The first ballot stood Donelson, q; HUT
81; Reeder, 4; House, 5; Raines, %.
The second ballot was taken immediate
ly. The New York delegation, who had op
posed Donelson, changed their votes te
Hurt, and seeing the inevitable result
many other changes followed in quick sue
cession, 50 that the vote stood Hurt, IS
Donelson, Co. Rseder, l. This elected
Hurt
The concluding work of the caucus was
the selection, by unanimous vote, OF Ly
curgus Dalton for Postmaster aud w. Ii